The World Health Organization or WHO warned that there is no going back to "old normal" as coronavirus cases multiply in the US and developing countries.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, half of coronavirus cases reported so far come from the US, India, and Brazil. “It’s completely understandable that people want to get on with their lives, but we will not be going back to the old normal,” he said during a news conference from the agency’s Geneva headquarters.
The US recorded the worst outbreak in the world with over 3.8 million coronavirus cases so far, based on the data from the WHO. Meanwhile, the organization states Brazil has 2.1 million Covid-19 infection and India had 1.1 million. Globally, there are more than 14 million coronavirus cases.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said there is still a chance to keep the coronavirus under control even if cases are high in the US, India, and Brazil.
“It can be turned around and there are tools that all countries have that can do that,” she said. “It takes tremendous will, it takes tremendous leadership and the work of all people to be part of the solution.”
The WHO emphasizes there is no going back to normal, but urges the public to wear masks to help contain the virus. According to scientists, the virus can be transmitted through respiratory droplets that pass when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Studies have proven that masks can help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 infection.
Moreover, WHO encourages people to wash their hands regularly, practice social distancing, and avoid going to areas with crowds. The organization advises individuals to seek medical care if they have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. They can also call by telephone in advance and follow the instructions of the local health authority.
Tedros called on the world leaders and the public to make “good choices." He emphasized that their decisions could be the “difference between life and death for someone you love.” He added that everyone is at risk as long as the virus is circulating.
“Just because cases may be at a low level where you live, that doesn’t make it safe to lower your guard,” he noted. “Don’t expect someone else to keep you safe. We all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and one another.”
"Better control"
White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci says that US must “get better control” of the coronavirus as it reopens the economy.
“The United States of America has been hit very severely by this. You just need to look at the numbers and see the number of infections in the millions and the number of deaths … keeps going up each day. We’re still seeing an increase in hospitalizations.” Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during an interview with the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation in an interview.
“We need to get better control over things. We need to open up the country because staying shut down has economic, employment, health and other negative consequences that are significant,” he said.
